The number of nights visitors are spending in short-term commercial accommodation is almost up to that seen two years ago during the British and Irish Lions rugby tour.
Figures out on Friday from Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) put total guest nights in June at 1.8 million, 6 percent higher than June last year, and just 1 per cent down on June 2005, when Lions' supporters gave the tourism industry a midwinter boost.
The trend in total guest nights has been increasing since January last year after a flat period that started in November 2004, SNZ said.
The rise in guest nights during June coincides with 4 per cent increases in short-term overseas visitor arrivals for June and May, compared to the same months last year.
During June, Auckland had the largest absolute increase in guest nights compared to June last year, with an increase of 27,000, or 8 per cent.
Canterbury was next with a rise of 23,000, or 9 per cent. Waikato was the only region to record a decrease.
Among accommodation types, motels had the largest absolute increase, with a rise for June of 32,000 guest nights, or 5 per cent, compared to June last year.
Next were backpackers/hostels, with a rise of 28,000 or 11 per cent. Of the five accommodation types in the survey, only hosted accommodation had a drop, and of just half a per cent.
In the year to June, total guest nights were up 4 per cent on the previous 12 months, to 32.5 million.
On the annual basis, Auckland had the largest absolute increase, up 255,000 (5 per cent), followed by Wellington up 177,000 (7 per cent), and Bay of Plenty up 158,000 (5 per cent).
Hotels had the largest absolute annual increase among the accommodation types with a rise of 365,000 guest nights, a 4 per cent increase.
Next were motels, up 344,000 (3 per cent) for the year, then caravan parks/camping grounds up 268,000 (4 per cent).
